Observance of Professional Codes of Ethics by Nurses of Teaching and Non-Teaching Hospitals in Sistan and Baluchestan Province

Abstract

Introduction: Ethical performance is one of the main components of quality of care and worthy to patients. It is essential that health workers serving in various positions, including nurses, their activities are founded on common values as an expression of their commitment to society and their professional work. This study aimed to observe the codes of professional ethics by nurses of teaching and non-teaching hospitals is done. Methods: In a descriptive study using a researcher-made questionnaire the observance of codes of ethics by nurses was evaluated. A total of 200 nurses who had at least 6 months experience of work at teaching and non-teaching hospitals in Sistan and Baluchistan using multi-stage random sampling method selected. 100 students were selected from each type of hospital were enrolled after informed consent. Then, using a researcher-made questionnaire that its validity and reliability is confirmed by the nurses of compliance with professional codes of ethics was measured. The questionnaire consisted of demographic questions and 12 statements of professional ethical questions. After completing the questionnaire data with SPSS software version 18 and Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were analyzed. Results: The average age of nurses was 33 years with a standard deviation of 7 years. 30 of nurses were male and the rest female. 67 percent of nurses married and the rest were single. A total of 67 of nurses in professional ethics had good performance, 20 percent moderate and 13 percent had poor performance. Statements of respect for the patient, respecting the treatment team collaboration, loyalty, conflict management, commitment secrecy, commitment to justice, commitment to integrity, improve the quality of patient care and commitment to the dignity of nursing were different between two hospitals. Conclusion: What is clear from our research is that levels of knowledge of nurses and health personnel in the field of professional ethics in the country is not desirable as well as regardless of teaching and non-teaching hospitals, it seems to raise awareness among nurses in the field of professional ethics and required to comply with it by them is a top priority.